Hoof Boot With Pivoting Heel Captivator

Abstract

A hoof boot has a base, a heel captivator, and a pivoting mechanism that disposes the heel captivator to pivot relative to the base, preferably in a manner that allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. The heel captivator is preferably low in the rearmost portion, which provides clearance for the pastern bones of the equine lower leg to descend upon weight bearing during movement at various gaits. To reduce the possibility for bruising and chaffing of soft tissue around the pastern bones, and to help eliminate accumulation of debris, preferred heel captivators have an open mesh architecture. Heel captivators can alternatively or additionally be designed with fabric covered neoprene or other liners. Boots are preferably tightened using mechanically advantages laces.

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         9 . A hoof boot comprising:
 a base that at least partially covers lateral and anterior surfaces of the hoof;   a cupped heel captivator;   a coupling mechanism that allows vertical and side-to-side movement of the captivator relative to the base; and   a mechanically advantaged coupling system that at least partially couples the base to the heel captivator.   
     
     
         10 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the base comprises a polymeric substance. 
     
     
         11 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the heel captivator includes a mesh with a plurality of holes. 
     
     
         12 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  further comprising a lining underlying the heel captivator. 
     
     
         13 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the coupling system provides sufficient play to provide freestanding up/down displacement of the heel captivator of at least 1.2 cm. 
     
     
         14 . The hoof boot of  claim 13  wherein the coupling system provides sufficient play to provide freestanding forward/rearward displacement of the heel captivator of at least 1.2 cm. 
     
     
         15 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the coupling system has laces and further comprising a hook and loop fastener that tightens the laces. 
     
     
         16 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the base and the heel captivator are coupled solely by the coupling system. 
     
     
         17 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the pivoting mechanism allows the heel captivator at least three degrees of freedom of movement relative to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the base has a sole with a top and the pivoting mechanism comprises a restriction point disposed within 2 cm of the top of the sole. 
     
     
         19 . The boot of  claim 9  wherein the base has a front and the pivoting mechanism comprises a restriction point disposed at least 6 cm rearward from the front of the base. 
     
     
         20 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the base has a front and a back and the pivoting mechanism comprises a restriction point disposed rearward at least 50% of a distance between the front and the back. 
     
     
         21 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the base has a front and a back and the pivoting mechanism comprises a restriction point disposed rearward at least 55% of a distance between the front and the back. 
     
     
         22 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the base has a back and the pivoting mechanism has restriction point that comprises a pivot pin within 3 cm of the back of the base. 
     
     
         23 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the coupling system has a lace that extends through a channel and the pivoting mechanism comprises a restriction point comprising an exit point of the lace from the channel. 
     
     
         24 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the coupling system has a tightening mechanism and the boot further comprises a tongue underlying the tightening mechanism. 
     
     
         25 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the base has a sole with a top and an upper having a height of no more than 9 cm from the top of the sole. 
     
     
         26 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  wherein the coupling system has lacing and a ratcheting mechanism disposed to tension the lacing. 
     
     
         27 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  further comprising a pastern strap that couples front portions of the heel captivator. 
     
     
         28 . The hoof boot of  claim 9  further comprising a pastern wrap disposed with respect the heel captivator to provide additional foot retention.